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HOW TO: Be a Better Passenger in 6 Easy Steps

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Sometime back, we wrote an article about the importance of being a good driver. However,  passengers can be just as useful. Have a look at our list below about how you can be a good passenger the next time your significant other/friend/colleague gives you a lift.

1. Don’t add to the stress: Remember how your stressful things were when your parents used to question each and every one of your decisions on the road? If you do, make sure that you don’t do the same for fellow drivers. Yes, its good to be mindful of safety, but don’t be the one who obsesses over a check engine light, or make comments of their driving habits-chances are, they may refuse to give you a lift next time!

2. Eyes on the road: If you’ve got the coveted passenger seat, you need to be a good co-pilot. Be a friend and look around for obstructions, vehicles which are hard to see (usually when reversing on taking a turn) and assist in navigating them when youre travelling to a new destination.

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Going in a group? Be helpful, and not a hindrance to your driver. Image credit: RMIT

3. Offer to take the wheel on long trips: If you are going anywhere on holiday, it can be very tiring for drivers who need to travel for many hours a day. If you’re going together, offer to swap positions so that your friend can rest while you take the wheel. Keep this point in mind especially at night, because everyone tends to get tired now and then. This is a win-win for everyone, as everyone arrives well rested and don’t need to worry about sleeping in a hotel

4. Minimize time on the phone: We’ve spoken about distracted driving in the past, but keep conversations on the phone to a minimum, this is because when youre talking loudly on the phone, the driver has to focus more in and keep their attention, so be a good passenger and stay away from the phone as much as possible.

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Whether you’re a driver or passenger, keep your time on the phone away when driving

5. Going in a group? Keep an eye out and behave: More people in the car means that there is a higher likelihood of distracted driving, which can lead to accidents as the driver may end up going too fast, go into the wrong lane, miss a turn or simply not see obstacles in front of them. Feel free to have fun, but if the driver insists to keep the music down, make sure that you comply with their request.

6. Don’t take too long: If a friend offers to pick you up; it is your responsibility to be ready on time. Respect their time by making sure that you’re ready. If you’re not, give them a heads up by letting them know in advance.

Are you a good passenger? Tell us your favorite tip from this list in the comments below!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

The Dirty Dozen: The 12 Worst Sri Lankan Driving Habits

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Sri Lanka is notorious for its poor driving. Given the fact that we encounter a high level of road rage, it seemed appropriate that we list out the worst driving habits of our fellow Sri Lankan drivers:

1. Going too slowly…on the highway: Yes, we have highways and that is excellent. However, there are a number of individuals who go too slow-say travelling at 50kmph when the speed is as high as 100kmph. If you are one of those who goes too slowly, move towards the left lane. 

slow lane

2. Driving on the wrong lane: Speaking of lanes, there are too many vehicles which I encounter which travel on the wrong lane. If you are one of them, hear this: The left lane is for slower drivers, while the right lane is for those who want to go faster.

3. Disrespecting road rules: A classic example is disregarding the pedestrian crossing. A lot of drivers don’t stop as they are supposed to. Yes, the drivers will respond saying that pedestrians usually ‘jump from nowhere’, but they are allowed to cross the road using the pedestrian crossing. So be aware.

4. Using Mobiles & driving: As we have mentioned earlier, this is very dangerous, since a moment’s distraction is all that’s necessary in order to cause a collision. If you must take or receive an important call, move your car to the side and take the call.

phone while driving

5. Using the wrong turn signal: One of the most basic things to do, and yet you’ve likely come upon this scenario: drivers who are about to turn left, have their indicators lit up in the other direction (even when they can’t turn right!). While this may be quite amusing to some, it slows down the vehicle behind as it creates uncertainty, because the driver up front seemingly doesn’t appear to know what they are doing.

6. Drifting in and out of lanes: Probably the most annoying on the list. Some drivers cant seem to decide on which lane they want to stay on, and frequently keep changing lanes by swerving to the left or the right. This makes it difficult sometimes as motorists want to drive normally and shouldn’t have to worry about getting involved in a side on collision.

7. Reversing onto the main road: If you’ve ever had to park in a shop or restaurant which is on the main road, you know nerve-wracking this feels. You need to reverse and manoeuvre carefully as you do your best to avoid hitting another car, or pedestrian.

8. Inconvenient parking: You need to park somewhere quickly, unfortunately the closest parking spot has been taken in a very poor fashion (see pic below). If this is you, breathe.  We’ve all been there at least once. Please learn how to park in a convenient place and it’ll help everyone.poor parking

9. Too many people in a vehicle: This is more likely to happen if the vehicle is a three-wheeler/tuk tuk or a motorcycle. I understand that people want to save the cost of transportation, but surely that shouldn’t be at the expense of someone’s life?

10. Large vehicles on narrow roads: Narrow ‘side’ roads are frequently used as shortcuts by a number of drivers. However, the moment a large vehicle such as a bus, truck or even a car comes along, there is no way a second vehicle can go through.

no helmets

11. No helmets: This one is for all the motorcyclists who don’t use helmets: it’s a terrible idea. You are risking serious injury if you don’t have one on you and a road accident were to happen. Furthermore, there are children who travel without a helmet: Surely if you are a responsible parent,  keeping your children safe should be a priority.

12. Driving through yellow lights: Rarely a day hour goes by when this does not happen. All types of motorists seem to view the yellow light as ‘go’ and jam their foot on the accelerator. It’s not a safe thing to do, and even though it may cost you a little time in traffic, it’s better to get there late than to not get there at all.

12. Large vehicles on narrow roads: Narrow ‘side’ roads are frequently used as shortcuts by a number of drivers. However, the moment a large vehicle such as a bus, truck or even a car comes along, there is no way a second vehicle can go through.

And there you have it, the 12 worst driving habits of Sri Lankans. Which is the worst of them all? Tell us in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

Hands Free is not Risk Free

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Question: Do you use a mobile phone or hands free headset while driving?

Be honest.

Stunning news

A study sponsored by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found that drivers who use voice activated and hands free features to send texts, make phone calls, change radio stations or post on social media had a slower reaction time and higher level of distraction than those drivers who did not. This is a massive blow as it confirms what most people think: hands free is not risk free.

The mind can’t multitask

Although voice activated systems and hands free devices were designed to allow drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, our brains can’t multitask. According to the study, the area of the brain which processes moving images falls by 30% when talking on the phone. This means that drivers are more focused on the phone and a lot less on their surroundings, which can lead to more accidents.

bluetooth, road accidents, hands free device, safe driving, unsafe driving
Image Credit: Parade

Meanwhile… in Sri Lanka

Lets be honest: we’re at fault too. Whether it is to make a quick phone call home, texting the better half during rush hour, calling the kids so you can pick them up from tuition, ringing ahead to book a takeaway or even taking a picture of some hilarious #TukTuk Wisdom to upload onto Facebook. Its illegal and can cost you a major fine, or worse. The point is,  just because you have ways to multitask while driving, it doesn’t mean you should.

What do you think?

Do you feel that mobile phones/hands free headsets are a big reason for road accidents? Let us know in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

Get a Motor Insurance Quote via SMS in 3 Steps

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Motor Insurance.

This is usually the first thought by any vehicle owner. If you are a parent, this would be the first thing you would mention to your son/daughter who decides to get a car: ‘Make sure you have motor insurance!’. That being said, some of us have no idea about the cost of motor insurance. If this is you, and  you want a more convenient method to get a quote, we have one! You can get a quote from HNB Assurance via SMS in 3 steps:

 Step 1: Text MQR to 0720 200 200 (Standard SMS Charges Apply)

mqr

Step 2: Select from the options provided

As you can see, its a lot of information.

First Photo-pick your Vehicle type, usage and value

It doesn’t stop there. Here is the second part of the message:

photo 2Step 3: Text us for your premium

Thankfully, the SMS prompts give you an example on how you should respond. Lets say you have a car (1-vehicle type), which you intend to use for yourself (A-private usage), plan to purchase MotorGuard (M-product) and have your car valued at Rs. 2,000,000/-, send your text in the following manner (see below), and the premium will follow.

ONE more

And there you have it! An obligation free motor insurance quote directly to your mobile in 3 simple steps.

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.